NFC East

DALLAS COWBOYS

WR Roy Williams, maligned for much of the last two years for his lack of production, is having a terrific season. He looks much more like the player who once earned a Pro Bowl berth in Detroit than the guy who was among the league leaders in dropped passes in ’09. Williams is running good routes, making tough catches and scoring touchdowns. He has 21 catches for 306 yards and a team-high five touchdowns. Williams is averaging 14.6 yards per catch, almost as good as Miles Austin (14.7), who is considered one of the NFL’s most dynamic receivers. Last season, Williams caught 38 passes for 596 yards and seven touchdowns. ... There’s no doubt RB Felix Jones has become the featured back. In the last two games, he has 29 carries for 141 yards and has caught 14 passes. In the first three games, he had a total of 22 carries and four receptions. Jones, however, was unprepared physically for the bigger workload. He needed an IV at halftime against Minnesota last week, and he has had to do more cardio and weightlifting to improve his strength and stamina. — Jean-Jacques Taylor

NEW YORK GIANTS

Giants officials have sent many signals that they were looking to replace DT Barry Cofield, a starter since ’06. Last season, the team signed DTs Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard. This year, the Giants used a second-round pick on DT Linval Joseph. On draft day, they were set to trade Cofield to the Saints for a second-round pick but a new contract with the Saints couldn’t be worked out. The ’09 season was not Cofield’s best, coming off knee surgery. Nonetheless, Cofield has started 68-of-69 games he’s been with the team and is again playing at a high level. Cofield does much of the dirty work and is a primary reason why the defense has held up against the run. Cofield has six tackles for losses this year, second on the team to DE Justin Tuck’s nine. Cofield also has shown greater ability as a pass-rusher—he has two sacks and five quarterback hits—and as a result is getting more playing time in pass-rush situations. Cofield, in the last year of his contract, might be playing his way into a return. ... On Monday night vs. Dallas, the Giants will face a 3-4 defensive front for the first time this year, making the return to health of C Shaun O’Hara even more important. O’Hara (ankle, Achilles’) started vs. Detroit last week. The line held up with Adam Koets, but O’Hara is a Pro Bowl player and is far more experienced at playing traffic cop, especially against a 3-4 front. O’Hara practiced this entire week, and the Giants hope the ankle problems that have lingered since the summer are behind him. — Paul Schwartz

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

QB Kevin Kolb was adequate in the loss to Tennessee but didn’t perform well enough to retain the starting job after the bye. After Sunday’s game, coach Andy Reid said Michael Vick would start Nov. 7 vs. Indianapolis, setting up a showdown between Vick and Peyton Manning. Kolb went 2-1 in three starts in place of Vick (ribs). Kolb shook off his rough season opener against Green Bay–the game that cost him his starting job–and showed he can engineer the offense efficiently and also get the ball to his playmakers downfield despite questions about his arm strength. He threw TD passes of 83 and 34 yards in the past two games and has an overall season completion percentage of 63.4. If Vick is hurt again this season, the team can be confident in Kolb. ... The defense must shore up coverage issues before facing Manning. CB Ellis Hobbs was abused by Titans WR Kenny Britt, who had three TD receptions and 225 receiving yards. Hobbs plays a physical game but too often gets lost in coverage and can’t keep up with faster wideouts. Hobbs needs the front seven to get pressure to be effective, but Manning will carve him up even against a good pass rush. — Geoff Mosher

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

CB DeAngelo Hall displayed his range of skills while tying an NFL record with four interceptions Sunday at Chicago. Hall’s instincts enable him to make plays other cornerbacks wouldn’t attempt. He gets burned sometimes, but it paid off Sunday. On his first interception, Hall moved inside guessing the route was a skinny post. When it was a curl route, he simply adjusted and dived in front of the receiver. He showed his wide receiver skills with a one-handed grab on his 92-yard interception return for a touchdown, and his third came thanks to press coverage that took away the slant. The Bears’ wideouts didn’t help QB Jay Cutler at all, either failing to come back for passes or not finishing routes. Hall’s last interception was the result of a bad decision by Cutler to force a pass downfield. Because he has a bad back and isn’t always comfortable in the coverage schemes, Hall had been struggling before this game. This should quiet his critics down for a while. ... The Redskins benefited from the return of NT/DE Albert Haynesworth. The coaches used him primarily in nickel packages, which allowed him to focus on rushing the passer. In his best game of the season, he finished with a sack, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries. He’s a big reason Cutler was forced to use more three-step drops, which negated the Bears’ ability to strike downfield. ... The Redskins all but eliminated Devin Hester as a punt-return threat Sunday by having P Hunter Smith direct the ball out of bounds on 5-of-7 punts. Hester finished with 12 return yards. — John Keim

NFC North

CHICAGO BEARS

As silly as it might sound after turning the ball over six times in Sunday’s loss to Washington, the Bears say they turned a corner with their young line. The Bears had 327 total yards over the final three quarters and allowed only one second-half sack. They also produced three double-digit rushing plays and ended a string of 28 consecutive failed third-down conversions. The effort to give the line its specific blocking assignments Wednesday, rather than later in the week, helped. It also might have helped having the same group together in back-to-back games, but that could change again with G Roberto Garza nearing a return from arthroscopic knee surgery. ... WR Earl Bennett looks light years ahead of the other receivers in handling hot reads, and much of the bye week work will be devoted to getting the entire offense in sync. ... OLB Lance Briggs aggravated his sprained ankle after a couple series Sunday and did not return; he was replaced by Brian Iwuh. With the bye, Briggs could be available for the next game, Nov. 7 vs. Buffalo in Toronto. — Gene Chamberlain

DETROIT LIONS

QB Matthew Stafford, after sustaining an AC separation of his right shoulder Sept. 12, was brought along slowly in his rehab. Stafford will get his second start of the season next Sunday vs. Washington, and teammates say his arm is at full strength. The coaches said they would be cautious with Stafford and followed that plan. Backup QB Shaun Hill played well and is a locker room favorite, but the veterans know the team’s fortunes are riding on Stafford’s arm. ... The bye week came at a good time for rookie RB Jahvid Best, who has been slowed by a turf toe injury. Best has been able to play through it, but his blazing speed has been lacking. When that happens, he’s an average runner. Best needs to that speed to press the outside and open cutback lanes. Because he hasn’t had that burst in recent weeks, defenders are not overpursuing him. — Tom Kowalski

GREEN BAY PACKERS

As if the injury situation could get any worse, the club lost DEs Cullen Jenkins (calf) and Ryan Pickett (ankle) on Sunday. Jenkins pulled a calf muscle in early warm-ps and was limping badly walking around the sideline. Pickett tried to go despite an ankle sprain and he wound up aggravating on the defense's second series. Both are big question marks this week vs. the Jets. Their injuries, plus the likely season-ending injury to rookie end Mike Neal, left the club with nose tackle B.J. Raji, rookie C.J. Wilson and second-year pro Jarius Wynn. The three can hold up fairly well against the run, but they're not pass rushers and the absence of Jenkins really hurts. Wilson got better as the game went on and showed why the team kept him ahead of Anthony Toribio at the end of training camp. ... Brandon Jackson is starting to come on as the team's starting running back. He carried 13 times for 58 yards and a touchdown, showing better patience before making his cut. He's also keeping his balance on runs up the middle and gaining extra yards. He fumbled once but was lucky because it bounced back into his arms. John Kuhn is getting carries, but he's not as productive as Jackson. ... RB Dimitri Nance got some playing time against the Vikings and probably will continue to whenever the team feels it can run the ball. He's a good receiver and can be split out or used on screens. He hasn't proved himself as a runner, however, and it's unclear whether he can be reliable with ball security. — Tom Silverstein

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Rookie CB Chris Cook returned from a torn meniscus Sunday but was benched near the end of the first quarter, During a six-play span late in the first quarter Sunday, Cook gave up three completions to two different receivers for a total of 101 yards. He was pulled after being blocked by WR Greg Jennings for more than 10 yards on a 36-yard screen pass to his side of the field. Cook was replaced by Frank Walker, a guy the Vikings signed off the street less than two weeks ago. Walker also was picked on, but ended up making a key play right before halftime. He tipped a pass into the end zone that safety Madieu Williams intercepted. ... SS Husain Abdullah (concussion) and nickel back Lito Sheppard (hand) were inactive, but starting C John Sullivan, who missed all but one snap of the previous three games, returned to the field. Tyrell Johnson, who had been inactive in recent weeks, jumped ahead of Jamarca Sanford and started at strong safety. Sheppard, who was beaten consistently against the Cowboys the week before, probably wouldn’t have served as the nickel back even if he had been healthy. That’s how much confidence the Vikings had in Cook, their top draft pick, before the game. — Mark Craig

NFC South

ATLANTA FALCONS

FS Thomas DeCoud was dazed after hitting RB Cedric Benson in the first quarter vs. Cincinnati. DeCoud’s helmet was taken away by trainers, and he wasn’t allowed to return. Erik Coleman, who started at strong safety last season, took over. Because the Falcons are entering their bye week, DeCoud might not have to miss a game if diagnosed with a concussion. Coleman was the team’s free safety in ’08 before moving to strong safety last season. He opened the season as a starter, but second-year S William Moore took over for him while he was recovering from a knee sprain. After Moore made some big plays, he retained the job. After a breakout season in ’09, DeCoud has been steady this season. He entered Sunday’s game as the team’s second-leading tackler, and though he has range in coverage he hasn’t produced the “wow” plays he made last season. ... FB Ovie Mughelli (hamstring) also left the game and didn’t return. RB Jason Snelling replaced Mughelli in addition to backing up RB Michael Turner. If Mughelli is out for a while, the running game could suffer some. He is a great lead blocker, although Snelling is only solid. — D. Orlando Ledbetter

CAROLINA PANTHERS

For six years, the team has been searching for a wide receiver to complement Steve Smith. In the team’s first victory of the season—23-20 over San Francisco on Sunday—the coaches might have found two options. David Gettis had eight catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns, and fellow rookie Brandon LaFell added six catches for 91 yards. QB Matt Moore looked their way almost exclusively late in the game because Smith was double-teamed. For the first time, the two kids made plays and the Panthers won. The rookies are emerging right after the Panthers claimed veteran WRs David Clowney and Devin Thomas off waivers. Thomas was inactive Sunday, and Clowney played a limited role. The coaches would prefer to play the kids, but before Sunday neither had a significant moment. Gettis (6-3, 216), a sixth-round pick, is an intriguing size/speed prospect who has been better than third-rounder LaFell. ... RB DeAngelo Williams left Sunday’s game with a foot injury, but it isn’t believed to be serious. He and Jonathan Stewart combined for 73 yards on 33 carries, a low output for a team built on the running game. But they’ve been looking for an assist from the passing game all year, and maybe the performance by the rookie wideouts will open things up. — Darin Gantt

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

QB Drew Brees is just as surprised by the team’s offensive struggles as everyone else. After he matched his career high with four interceptions in a stunning 31-17 loss to the Browns on Sunday, Brees said he doesn’t have a good technical explanation for the problems. He said he hasn’t been confused by schemes and says he’s making good reads and throws. He said he also doesn’t think the Saints have taken any shortcuts in preparation. But problems keep creeping up for an offense that dominated the league from 2006-09. For most of this season, the biggest challenge has been solving deep zone coverage, which has taken away the deep ball and forced the Saints to stay patient and move the chains. But Sunday, they couldn’t get anything going in the running game, the short passing game or the deep passing game. ... S Darren Sharper made his season debut Sunday, rotating into the nickel and dime packages after missing the first six weeks with a knee injury. He didn’t have any particular highlights or lowlights, but he looked like he was playing with good speed and should only get better. FS Malcolm Jenkins shifted to cornerback because of the rash of injuries at the position, and Usama Young started at free safety. Jenkins likely will return to free safety next week if CB Jabari Greer (shoulder) returns. — Mike Triplett

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

The team seems to have found an answer to its struggles in the running game. Just as he did when he got a brief look against the Steelers a few weeks ago, rookie LeGarrette Blount ran hard and effectively in the comeback win over the Rams. He officially ran 11 times for 72 yards but also had 66 rushing yards wiped out by penalties. Blount (6-0, 241), who has the power the coaches seek in a lead back, did an adequate job in blitz pickup Sunday. After Blount’s outing, the Bucs could relegate Cadillac Williams to a third-down role. ... Backup TE Jerramy Stevens’ career with the Buccaneers could be over. Stevens was arrested Saturday night and charged with possession of cannabis and possession of cannabis with an intent to distribute, both felonies. If Stevens is cut, the team probably would promote Ryan Purvis from the practice squad. Purvis lacks Stevens’ skill set. He’s an adequate pass catcher and blocker but would not be a long-term answer if Kellen Winslow would get hurt. The coaches might work rookie FB Erik Lorig at tight end and re-sign FB Chris Pressley, who was released Saturday. — Roy Cummings

NFC West

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Rookie QB Max Hall will remain the starter, provided he’s cleared to play this week after sustaining a second blow to the head in as many games. Hall left the loss to Seattle in the third quarter after being sacked. He felt nauseous on the sideline, and doctors prevented him from returning. Hall had completed just 4-of-16 passes at the time, but coach Ken Whisenhunt said he would have stuck with the rookie if healthy. Whisenhunt might have to choose between Hall and Derek Anderson at midweek. As a rookie, Hall needs all the practice time he can get and can’t afford to miss any work. So if he isn’t ready to go by Wednesday, he probably won’t start. ... OLB Clark Haggans sustained a left groin injury and didn’t return. The club has little depth at that spot. Will Davis could start if Haggans is out, but that would leave only Alex Hall as a backup. Rookie O’Brien Schofield, on the non-football injury list, might have to be activated and used on an emergency basis. ... NT Dan Williams sustained a hip flexor injury. The team has depth at that spot, and Gabe Watson could fill in as the backup to starter Bryan Robinson. — Kent Somers

ST. LOUIS RAMS

The Rams have had trouble keeping safeties healthy all season, and SS James Butler (sprained left MCL) could be sidelined for several weeks. Butler missed much of preseason with a similar injury. As a former Giants player, Butler is familiar with coach Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme and gets everyone aligned correctly. Craig Dahl, who can play both safety spots, already has missed a game with a concussion. No. 4 S Darian Stewart (hamstring) missed his second game of the season Sunday. FS Oshiomogho Atogwe is the only one of the four who has not missed a game, though he was limited in one game by a quadriceps injury. The revolving door at the position hasn’t helped continuity, but Atogwe, Butler and Dahl are starting-quality players and at least two have been available every game. ... After almost blowing a 14-point halftime lead against San Diego in Week 6, the Rams did blow a 17-6 halftime lead at Tampa Bay. The Rams got too conservative with the lead against the Chargers, but that wasn’t really the case Sunday. In any event, they relied too much on their much-improved defense to close out games and it cost them Sunday. — Jim Thomas

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

QB Alex Smith left Sunday’s loss at Carolina early in the third quarter with what he suspects is a separation to his left (non-throwing) shoulder. Smith will make the trip to London for next week’s game vs. Denver, but he is iffy to play. Meanwhile, coach Mike Singletary gave backup David Carr only tepid support, even in the event Smith can’t play against Denver. Singletary said he would have to look at the tape before making any decisions. Carr completed only 5-of-13 passes for 67 yards and threw a critical interception that led to Carolina’s game-winning field goal. Singletary’s other options: No. 3 Troy Smith, who was signed before the season or practice-squad QB Nate Davis. Before Sunday, Carr had not thrown a pass to any first-team players since camp. ... RG Chilo Rachal left Sunday’s game with a stinger and was replaced by Adam Snyder. — Matt Barrows

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

The Seahawks didn’t have a player catch 10 or more passes in any game the past two seasons. WR Mike Williams has accomplished the feat two weeks in a row. In Sunday’s win over Arizona, he caught 11 passes for 73 yards and scored his first touchdown in four years. He finally is starting to play like the No. 1 receiver the Lions thought they were getting when they made him the 10th overall pick in ’05. Since Seattle traded Deion Branch earlier this month, Williams clearly has been the top target—and there’s no magic to his emergence. He is 6-5, is in great shape and has strong hands. His size is a critical advantage, as he can make a catch after contact that would knock other receivers out of the play. ... Rookie CB Walter Thurmond showed why the coaches say he’ll become a solid starter. Starting in place of the injured Kelly Jennings, Thurmond was not overmatched when he went up against Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald, who finished with three catches for 30 yards. Thurmond (5-11, 190) has the size the front office now wants at corner, and he’ll only get better because he is just 12 months removed from a serious knee injury. A fourth-round pick, Thurmond was considered a potential first-rounder before the injury. — Danny O’Neil